• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
  • Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
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  • 1 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 2 When horses score over the tractor

  • 3 So this is the mainland!

  • 4 School crossing patrol begins

  • 5 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 6 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 7 Penny for the guy

  • 8 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 9 Jumble sale fever

  • 10 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 11 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 12

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 13 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 14 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 15 Pannier Market's future?

  • 16 North Devon Driving School

  • 17 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 18 Cruising down the river

  • 19 Sweets derationing

  • 20 They are parted pro-tem

  • 21 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 22

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 23 Picking the pops

  • 24 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 25 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 26 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 27 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 28

    Was a missionary
  • 29 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 30 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 31

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 32 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 33 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 34 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 35 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 36 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 37 School's link with cargo ship

  • 38

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 39 Finished in 1876

  • 40 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 41 For crying out loud!

  • 42 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 43 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 44 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 45 Clovelly custom

  • 46 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 47 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 48 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 49 Revenge in style

  • 50

    New gateway
  • 51 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 52 Hartland postman retires

  • 53 Hartland Dancers
  • 54 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 55 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 56 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 57 New Post Office

  • 58 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 59 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 60 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 61 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 62 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 63 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 64 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 65 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 66 Torrington children build igloo
  • 67 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 68

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 69 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 70 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 71 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 72 Artisans' Club

  • 73 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 74 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 75 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 76 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 77 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 78 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 79 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 80 All aboard the ark

  • 81 Can spring be far away?

  • 82 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 83 Peter poses for TV film

  • 84 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 85 The art of the thatcher

  • 86 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 87 113 years at Instow

  • 88 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 89 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 90 Last train from Torrington

  • 91 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 92 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 93 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 94 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 95 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 96 Warmington's garage ad

  • 97 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 98 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 99

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 100 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 101 By pony and trap to market

  • 102 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 103 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 104 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 105 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 106 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 107 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 108 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 109 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 110 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 111 Decontrol of meat

  • 112 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 113 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 114 Northam footballers of the future

  • 115 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 116 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 117 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 118 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 119 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 120 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 121 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 122 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 123

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 124 No laughing matter

  • 125 Life begins at 80

  • 126 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 127 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 128 What's the time?

  • 129 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 130 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 131 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 132 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 133

    Building works
  • 134 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 135 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 136 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 137 Clovelly nightmare

  • 138

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 139 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 140 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 141 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 142 A bird of their own!

  • 143 Centenary of Gazette

  • 144 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 145 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 146 Six footed lamb

  • 147 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 148 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 149 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 150 Picking the pops

  • 151 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 152 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 153 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 154 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 155 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 156

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 157 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 158 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 159 Variety in summer weather

  • 160 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 161 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 162 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 163 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 164 Recognise this resort?

  • 165 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 166 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 167 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 168 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 169 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 170

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 171

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 172 Appledore's largest

  • 173 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 174 From Bobby to Brian

  • 175 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 176

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 177 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 178 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 179 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 180 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 181 Private home for public pump

  • 182 Torrington's new amenity

  • 183 First ship in 8 years

  • 184 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 185 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 186 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 187 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 188 Loads of black and white

  • 189 New life for Hartland organ

  • 190 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 191 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 192 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 193 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 194 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 195 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 196 The cab at the corner>
  • 197 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 198

    Married in 1908
  • 199 New addition to Quay front

  • 200 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 201

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 202 A man and his wheel

  • 203 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 204 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 205 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 206 A story to tell!

  • 207 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 208

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 209 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 210 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 211

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 212 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 213 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 214 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 215

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 216 Traditions and skills still there

  • 217 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 218 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 219 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 220

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 221 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 222 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 223 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 224 Burnard family reunion

  • 225 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 226 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 227 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 228 Capers on the cobbles

  • 229 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 230 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 231 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 232 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 233 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 234

    Relatives all over the world
  • 235 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 236 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 237 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 238 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 239 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 240 Devil sent packing

  • 241 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 242 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 243 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 244 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 245

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 246 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 247 Modern living at Bideford

  • 248 Bideford loses training ship

  • 249 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 250 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 251 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 252 Hartland's invitation

  • 253 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 254 Police station view of Bideford

  • 255 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 256 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 257 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 258 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 259 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 260 Circus comes to town

  • 261 Bideford's private wharves busier

  • 262 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 263

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 264

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 265 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 266 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 267 The Geneva marionettes

  • 268 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 269 It really was the 'last time'

  • 270 Twenty-one yachts

  • 271 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 272 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 273 New choral society's growing response

  • 274 Off on a great adventure

  • 275 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 276 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 277 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 278

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 279 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 280 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 281 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 282 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 283 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 284 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 285 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 286 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 287 Some 240 exhibits

  • 288 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 289 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 290 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 291 Filming at Hartland

  • 292 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 293

    First prize
  • 294 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 295 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 296 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 297 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 298 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 299 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 300 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 301 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 302 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 303 End of the line

  • 304 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 305 Ships at Bideford

  • 306 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 307 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 308

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 309 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 310 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 311 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 312 Sight of a lifetime

  • 313 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 314 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 315 Mobile missionary

  • 316 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 317 New art gallery opened

  • 318 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 319 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 320 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 321 Puppet characters introduced

  • 322 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 323 Some mushroom!

  • 324 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 325 Emergency ferry services

  • 326 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 327 Waldon Triplets
  • 328 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 329 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 330 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 331 Riverside mystery

  • 332 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 333

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 334 Just over a year old

  • 335 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 336 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 337 Service with a smile

  • 338

    Bidefordians
  • 339 Torrington in 1967

  • 340 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 341 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 342 Out of puff!

  • 343 A roof-top view - where?

  • 344 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 345 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 346 Bideford computer stars

  • 347 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 348 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 349 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 350 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 351 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 352 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 353 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 354 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 355 He beat the floods

  • 356 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 357

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 358 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 359 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 360 New shipyard on schedule

  • 361 New civic medallions

  • 362 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 363 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 364 Ten year old scrambler

  • 365 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 366 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 367 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 368 New Lundy stamps

  • 369 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 370 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 371 Parkham plan realised

  • 372 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 373 Northam's almshouse

  • 374 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 375 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 376 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 377 Bridging the stream

  • 378 No sale of Springfield House

  • 379 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 380 Littleham family's five generations

  • 381 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 382 Simple Item 138
  • 383 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 384 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 385 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 386 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 387 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 388 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 389 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 390 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 391 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 392 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 393 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 394 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 395

    Exhibition of school work
  • 396 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 397 In their new robes and hats

  • 398 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 399 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 400 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 401 New look in the hayfields

  • 402 All for the love of a lady!

  • 403 Bideford regatta

  • 404 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 405 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 406 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 407 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 408 Happy Days!

  • 409 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 410

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 411 Weare Giffard potato

  • 412 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 413 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

3.5.1957 Robins win Hansen Cup

Robins Win The Hansen Cup

May 3rd, 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final

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and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

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  • Torrington May Fair Queen and Her Attendants

    Names from left to right:Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row);
    Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex;

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  • Christmas Eve at the Front

    An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

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  • Seafield House - the "Spooky House" of Westward Ho!

    The house on the cliff edge known locally as ‘Spooky House’ or even ‘Haunted House’ , was built about 1885.

    The road was especially built to enable access to the house and was initially known as Seafield Road; later it became Merley Road.

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1911 Coronation Medal

Coronation Medal Presented on June 22nd 1911   Learn More

The Hoops Inn

The Hoops Inn close to Peppercombe Beach

The Quay at Appledore

Appledore Quay where Taw and Torridge Rivers meet 

 
Wynne Olley

Crowning Glory

12 October 1962

Their finest achievement to date...

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Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

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Bradworthy Opens Its Memorial Hall

On Saturday nearly 2,000 people attended the opening of Bradworthy Memorial Hall

21.7.1961 Bradworthy Hall

When it was decided to build a hall as a war memorial, a substantial sum was given by Lieut-Col E J W Spread im memory of his sons who were killed in the 1939-45 war. In 1953 a suitable site was bought for £250, and the building began in November 1960, the cost to be about £7,250.

Up to Saturday there about £4,000 in hand, £2,300 of which had been raised since July of last year. The Ministry of Education has promised a grant of £2,150.

Mr G V Northcott, of Exmouth, who opened the hall, was introduced by Mr R G Pomeroy, chairman of the hall committee. After a prayer of dedication by the Rev T R Gibby, Vicar, Mr Northcott unlocked the door of the hall.

The chairman read a telegram of congratulation and good wishes from Col Spread, who was unable to make the journey from Sussex, where he now lives.

Gazette article dated 21 July 1961

New Year Honour For Farmer

Bradworthy farmer Mr Richard Pomeroy, an Old Boy of Bideford Grammar School, was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours list.

4.1.1974 Bradworthy Pomeroy

Aged 57, he lives at Great Dinworthy, Bradworthy, and has been a regional member of the Western Counties Milk Marketing Board for some years. He is a former chairman of Devon NFU and when elected was the youngest farmer to fill this position. Starting with a smallholding at Highampton, he now runs a 400 acre dairy farm with his son Alan.
The full Gazette article is dated 4 January 1974.

World War 1

Bradworthy

18.6.1918 Bradworthy


The Wesleyan Sunday School anniversary blessed by glorious weather, proved to be an unqualified success.
On Sunday, Rev P Collier gave excellent sermons. There are many regrets at the possibility of his leaving this circuit at the next Conference. The singing was hearty and the collections good.

Gazette article dated 18 June 1918

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